Avery John Called Up by T&T

D.C. United defender Avery John has been called up by the Trinidad & Tobago national team to play in World Cup qualifiers on June 6 vs. Costa Rica and June 10 vs. Mexico. John will report after United's league game at New England tomorrow night.

From United's press release:

John has appeared in 82 total games for his country, including eight appearances during the Soca Warriors' successful campaign to earn a bid to the 2006 World Cup. The veteran back started group matches against Sweden and Paraguay at the World Cup and most recently represented his country on Nov. 11 of last year for a qualifier against Guatemala. The club's most recent addition, John made his United debut on 5/6, playing the full 90 at left back during a 1-1 draw at Kansas City. John's only other appearance for the Black-and-Red thus far came on 5/20 during a 5-3 victory against New York in a U.S. Open Cup play-in match. United acquired the former American University standout on 4/23 in a trade with the Revolution for a conditional MLS draft pick. Prior to joining United, John featured for New England from 2004-2007. John had been playing for Miami FC of USL1 since May 2008 when United acquired his rights.

John doesn't deserve a support group just because he was dropped from MLS, and we,for lack of a better idea, brought him back. As we have seen, Trinidad has been a motley crew lately, so quite frankly I'm not honored or enthused.

I would have been won over if he had showed any definite reason why he should be signed, as he is old, prone to fouls, and was dropped from a team with a better history of defense. And I hope he still proves me wrong, because we need good defenders.

But I'm not counting on any "I told you so's" anytime soon, as he'll ride the bench for a season and retire.